The Detroit Pistons’ next victory was always going to be an important one — and on Friday night, they got it, killing two birds with one stone.

For starters, it snapped a two-game skid. More importantly, it secured Detroit’s first playoff berth since 2019.

With All-Star guard Cade Cunningham sidelined for a sixth consecutive game and Tobias Harris back on the injury report, veteran guard Tim Hardaway Jr. stepped up to lead Detroit to a 117–105 win over the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena.

Hardaway was extremely efficient from beyond the arc, drilling five 3-pointers as part of the 23 points he finished with.

Helping Hardaway put away the Raptors were potential Sixth Man of the Year candidate Malik Beasley and second-year big man Jalen Duren. Beasley struggled from deep but still chipped in 20 points.

Duren recorded a double-double, scoring 21 points and grabbing 18 rebounds. He also anchored Detroit’s defense, blocking four shots and altering several others.

The Pistons, who led by as many as 22, blew the game open with an 18–2 run that spanned the second quarter into the middle of the third.

Toronto, led by Ja’Kobe Walter’s 22 points, rallied to cut the deficit to four (95–91) with 8:13 left in regulation following a layup by Jared Rhoden.

Detroit’s cold shooting late — just 37% in the fourth quarter — left the door open, and Toronto took advantage, outscoring the Pistons 28–24 in the final period.

Dennis Schroder, starting his sixth straight game in place of Cunningham (calf soreness), came up big in crunch time with key buckets — including a floater and a pair of clutch free throws — to keep Detroit in front.

He finished with 16 points and seven assists.

In total, six Pistons scored in double figures. Rookie Ausar Thompson added 15 points and seven rebounds, while Marcus Sasser scored 10.

Detroit also dominated the interior, outscoring Toronto 54–44 in the paint.

The Pistons return to action Saturday when they host the Memphis Grizzlies at 7 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena.